By Miriam Humbe
The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Ibikunle Ajose has strongly warned terrorists still in the bush to lay down their arms and surrender through established channels.
The Theatre Commander said OPHK was determined to sustain operational pressure against terrorist elements and protect communities across the North East.
The warning came amidst operational successes in Borno State under his Command where troops of Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) foiled terrorist attacks on Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) at Gajiram in Nganzai Local Government Area and Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area.
Troops also sustained military pressure resulting in the surrender of 2 Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorists, including a Qaid (commander), with weapons.
Captain Mohammed Goni, the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI disclosed this in a statement signed on Friday.
On 17 September 2026, terrorists advancing towards FOB Gajiram were detected early by alert troops, supported by Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets.
Troops immediately adopted appropriate defensive measures, while the Air Component OPHK provided close air support. Faced with the coordinated response, the terrorists withdrew from the vicinity of the location into adjoining areas.
In a related attack on FOB Mairari later that night, several ISWAP terrorists attacked the location but were met with stiff resistance from troops, with robust close air support from the Air Component, who successfully contained the attack, inflicting casualties on the terrorists, and maintained the integrity of the FOB.
Subsequent exploitation led to the recovery of 4 terrorists’ corpses, some AK-47 rifles, magazines, quantities of ammunition, RPG bombs and a camcorder, among other items.
Troops who sustained injuries during the engagement were promptly stabilised and airlifted to hospital where they are receiving appropriate medical attention.
Subsequently, the Commander Sector 3 OPHK conducted a post-engagement assessment of the affected locations to evaluate the situation, commend the troops and coordinate follow-on actions.
The locations were subsequently reinforced to consolidate the gains and strengthen the defensive posture, while troops continue exploitation of the general areas to prevent terrorist elements from regrouping.
Relatedly, sustained military pressure across the Joint Operations Area yielded further results as 2 JAS terrorists, including a Qaid, surrendered to troops of Sector 1 OPHK along the Main Supply Route (MSR) Miyanti–Darel Jamel axis in Bama LGA on the night of 16 September 2026.
The terrorists surrendered with 3 AK-47 rifles, 5 magazines, a motorcycle and a cache of ammunition.
They are currently in military custody undergoing preliminary investigation and profiling in accordance with established procedures.
The successful defence of the locations, recovery of weapons and continued surrender of terrorist elements underscore the sustained operational pressure being exerted across the theatre.
The developments also demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated ground and air operations in denying terrorist elements freedom of action and maintaining operational momentum across the Joint Operations Area.
The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, commended the troops, MNJTF ISR team and aircrew for their vigilance, courage and effective coordination.
He called on the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security forces.
